Muriel Jones recognized as community champion

Molina Healthcare of Florida recently celebrated the good deeds of six community heroes at its fifth annual Community Champions Awards. This year’s honorees included Winter Garden resident Muriel Jones, executive director of Federation of Families of Central Florida, a non-profit dedicated to providing support, advocacy and education to families with children struggling with emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges.

The Central Florida chapter, which Jones started and built from the ground up, has flourished under her leadership. She goes above and beyond to serve and empower families with children who suffer from emotional, behavioral and mental health challenges. Jones regularly participates in outreach efforts to bring awareness to the issues faced by families tasked with the challenges and stigma of raising children with mental health challenges. As a parent of a child with a significant mental health diagnosis, Jones has literally “walked the walk” and has subsequently channeled the knowledge she has gained through her own experience into helping transform the system of care in Florida.

 “Muriel’s dedication and willingness to go above and beyond to improve the lives of children and youth facing mental health challenges is truly inspirational,” said David Pollack, president of Molina Healthcare. “Her efforts have not only made a huge impact in the Central Florida community, but the entire state. We are proud to recognize Muriel as a Community Champion.” 

Each community champion was nominated by a community-based organization and also received a $1,000 grant to give to a non-profit organization of his/her choice. Jones will donate her $1,000 grant to Federation of Families of Central Florida.